How to Specify a Default Screen Saver for All Users in Windows 7
Information
This will show you how to set or change a
specific screen saver of your choice to be used as the
default screen saver for all users on the computer with the users
also prevented from being able to
change the screen saver.
You will have to be logged in as an
administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
Note
Screen Savers that come with Windows 7
EXAMPLE: Screen Saver Settings
NOTE: The Screen Saver selectionis grayed out if you specified a default screen saver for all users.
OPTION ONE
Through the Local Group Policy Editor
1
. Open the
all users,
specific users or groups, or
all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.
2. In the left pane, click on to expand
User Configuration,
Administrative Templates,
Control Panel, and
Personalization. (see screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, double click on
Force a specific screen saver to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4. To Allow Users to Select their own Screen Saver A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
5. To Set a Default Screen Saver for All Users A) Select (dot) Enabled, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 6)
B) Under Options, type in the full path of the .scr screen saver file.
NOTE: If the .scr screen saver file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, then you will only need to type in the .scr screen saver file with it's extension included (ex: ssText3d.scr).
6. Click on
OK. (see screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
OPTION TWO
Manually in Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, and type
regedit in the search box and press enter.
2. If prompted by
UAC, then click on
Yes.
3. To Set a Default Screen Saver for All Users A) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
B) In the left pane right click on
Windows, and click on
New and
Key. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you already have the Control Panel key (step 3C), then skip this step and go to step 3D.
C) Type in
Control Panel, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
D) Right click on
Control Panel, and click on
New and
Key. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you already have the Desktop key (step 3E), then skip this step and go to step 3F.
E) Type in
Desktop, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
F) In the right pane of
Desktop, right click on an empty space, and click on
New and
String Value. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you already have the SCRNSAVE.EXE string value (step 3G), then skip this step and go to step 3H.
G) Type in
SCRNSAVE.EXE, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
H) In the right pane of
Desktop, right click on
SCRNSAVE.EXE, and click on
Modify. (see screenshot above)
I) Type in the full path of the
.scr screen saver file, then click on
OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the .scr screen saver file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, then you will only need to type in the .scr screen saver file with it's extension included (ex: ssText3d.scr). J) Go to step 5.
4. To Allow Users to Select their own Screen Saver A) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop
B) In the right pane of
Desktop, right click on
SCRNSAVE.EXE, and click on
Delete. (see screenshot above)
C) Click on
Yes to approve deletion. (see screenshot below)
D) In regedit, navigate to the location below, and repeat steps 4B and 4C if there is a
SCRNSAVE.EXE entry here as well.
Code:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop
5. Close regedit.
That's it,
Shawn